MODES, FEATURES & RANGE

  • WHAT IS SIDEBAND?
    A - "SideBand" (SSB) is a mode capability found in higher-end CB Radios. You will have access to the Upper & Lower Sideband Modes (USB, LSB), In addition to the "Regular" (AM) mode on each of the 40 channels. When switched to sideband, each receive signal must be "fine tuned" in with the clarifier or voice lock control found on the SSB CB radio, otherwise people will sound garbled or distorted. Keep in mind that when switched to a sideband, you can only communicate with other CBers that have that capability. You can usually expect an increase in range, & less noise than on the "standard" AM 40 channels.
  • WHAT IS THE "TALKBACK" FEATURE?
    A - If your CB has TalkBack, this is a feature that lets you hear or "Monitor" yourself thru the CB Radio's speaker while you are transmitting. It can be useful to check the sound of power & Echo type mikes. If turned up too high, you will get a feedback squeel, however.
  • WHAT RANGE WILL A CB RADIO GIVE ME?
    A - "Generally Speaking" range for a mobile CB Radio could be anywhere from 1 to 20 Miles or more, depending on terrain, type of antennas used & other factors. The "typical" range to expect from a mobile CB with a good antenna is about 2 to 5 miles, you will actually get more or less than these numbers in certian areas & terrain, & as you drive. Base Station CB setups, with larger roof mounted Base antennas will usually give more range than the ground level mobile units.
  • WHAT DO THE RF & MIKE GAIN CONTROLS DO?
    A - Mike Gain (DynaMike)is your mike's "volume control", & can be lowered to reduce backround noise, or if your voice is really loud. The RF Gain control can be thought of as a "Receive Distance Control", by turning it down you can reduce the radio's sensitvity to distant chatter, noise & signals that are too weak to reach. The Better CB's will usually have both of these controls.
  • WHY DOES THERE SEEM TO BE MORE STATIC ON CB CHANNELS THAN WHAT I HEAR ON OTHER TYPES OF RADIOS?
    A - Just like you car Stereo's AM/FM stations, where the "AM" has more interference than the "FM", CB channels are transmitted & received using an "AM" mode. Other Radios like FRS, GMRS, Police scanners ect all receive in "FM" mode. Again, with CB, just like switching to "AM" on your car stereo, you will notice more static than when on FM. Look for CB Radios that include a Noise Blanker ("NB") switch, which helps minimize some of the noise better than standard CB's that have no noise filters, or just an "ANL" switch.
  • WHAT IS THE FREQUENCY DISPLAY, & WHAT DOES IT DO?
    A - On some CB Radios such as the Texas Ranger TR-396F, TR-696F & the Galaxy DX-959, there is a 5 or 6 digit frequency display. This will show you the actual Frequency of the CB channel you are tuned to (ie.. 27.4050 Mhz is CB channel 40), Here is a Table of all 40 US CB channels, & their actual Frequencies:

    1) 26.965 MHz
    9) 27.065 MHz
    17) 27.165 MHz
    25) 27.245 MHz
    33) 27.335 MHz
    2) 26.975 MHz
    10) 27.075 MHz
    18) 27.175 MHz
    26) 27.265 MHz
    34) 27.345 MHz
    3) 26.985 MHz
    11) 27.085 MHz
    19) 27.185 MHz
    27) 27.275 MHz
    35) 27.355 MHz
    4) 27.005 MHz
    12) 27.105 MHz
    20) 27.205 MHz
    28) 27.285 MHz
    36) 27.365 MHz
    5) 27.015 MHz
    13) 27.115 MHz
    21) 27.215 MHz
    29) 27.295 MHz
    37) 27.375 MHz
    6) 27.025 MHz
    14) 27.125 MHz
    22) 27.225 MHz
    30) 27.305 MHz
    38) 27.385 MHz
    7) 27.035 MHz
    15) 27.135 MHz
    23) 27.255 MHz
    31) 27.315 MHz
    39) 27.395 MHz
    8) 27.055 MHz
    16) 27.155 MHz
    24) 27.235 MHz
    32) 27.325 MHz
    40) 27.405 MHz

  • WHAT IS THE BEST ANTENNA FOR MY MOBILE CB RADIO?
    A - This is tough to answer, but here are some general guidelines & "Rules of thumb". First, The Taller the antenna, the better it will work. Mount your antenna as high as possible on the vehicle, & try to get at least 50% of it over the roofline. Usually, all else being equal, the Tallest, longest antenna you are comfortable with, mounted as high as possible, will give the best performance. For Example, mounting a new 4 ft CB antenna where you had a 2 footer, will usually give better results. It wouldn't matter what "brand name", color or style the 2 ft antenna was. CB antennas that are less than 3 feet tall, those that "stick to the glass", & AM/FM/CB "combo" antennas generally do not give good performance, they are bought & sold for "convienience" reasons only.



    LEGALITIES

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